Football News Today

What next for Marcus Rashford?

Former Manchester United Boss Louis Van Gaal would be remembered fondly by Manchester United fans, not for his remarkably bizarre tactics nor his sheer extravagance, but for notably bringing into prominence, arguably United’s best player to have emerged from the club’s academy in recent years.

The then 18-year-old, Marcus Rashford, had his breakthrough into the first team, in what eventually turned out to be Van Gaal’s final season at the club. The young forward has subsequently been a mainstay under recent boss Jose mourinho, where he played a pivotal role in United’s trophy triumphs the previous season.

However, Rashford has seemingly struggled to replicate his impressive form this campaign, with the Englishman a victim of an increased weight of expectations set by his own standards.

The further addition of Alexis Sanchez into an already explosive squad, along with imperious forms of Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard precipitated an instant fixation on the chances of Rashford featuring in the starting XI regularly.

However, the likelihood of 20 year old departing for more first team football has been debunked by Mourinho who strenuously claimed Rashford is still very much in his plans for the forthcoming matches in an already gruelling season.

Rotation is a certainty, if the squad is to be kept fresh and that probably might suggest why the ex-Chelsea Boss has decided to wrap Rashford in Cotton Wool. However, it is pertinent to observe that Rashford has barely featured since the arrival of Sanchez from London rivals Arsenal, with Martial preferred on the wings..

Further more, the potential return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic could further push Rashford down the pecking order. With a World Cup seemingly on the horizon, it is necessary he plays regularly.

While still just 20 and obviously having rough edges in his game, which further training and game time would evidently smoothen out, the Englishman has proven himself to be at the requisite level to play at the top, showcasing the gusto and pace pivotal in coping in an incredibly demanding league

It is undeniable he would be key to England’s chances of progressing to the latter stages of the tournament regardless of the sparse occasions he features for his club.